If you’re looking for a creative and tasty dish to serve at your next brunch, look no further than shrimp and grits. This Southern favorite is perfect for any time of day.
Shrimp and grits are certainly good and filling enough on their own, but you can turn them into a perfect brunch by pairing them with light vegetable dishes.
What to serve with shrimp and grits for brunch?
Here are some great pairing ideas for shrimp and grits for brunch:
- Salad Dressed with Buttermilk Dressing Green Goddess Dressing
- Sautéed Greens (such as kale, collards, or chard) that has a bit of vinegar in it
- Baby Lettuce Salad with red onions and a citrusy dressing
- Southern Collard Greens
- Creamed Spinach
- Creamed Peas
- Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Asparagus
- Green Bean Salad
What is Shrimp?
What is a shrimp?
Shrimp is a kind of aquatic creature similar to a lobster. Shrimp are swimming crustaceans with long slender muscular abdomens and long antennae. Shrimp, unlike crabs and lobsters, have well-formed pleopods (swimmerets) and tiny walking legs; they are more suited to swimming than walking.
Shrimp are widespread may be found almost everywhere, from the bottom of most seas and estuaries to rivers and lakes. Shrimp grow very quickly, which makes them popular for human consumption.
Shrimp is most often found frozen or canned because it spoils easily, so fresh shrimp need to be cooked within a day of capture. The majority of shrimp are sold frozen and graded, color-coded, and characterized according to their form.
Only about 20 species of shrimp are commercially significant, despite the fact that there are over thousands of different species. Some of the several kinds of shrimp that can be eaten are pink shrimp, brown shrimp, and tiger shrimp.
What does shrimp taste like?
Shrimp tastes like a cross between lobster and crab, with the strongest flavor when cooked. Shrimp has a mild, delicate flavor that tastes delicious in many recipes.
Shrimp are very popular in shrimp cocktails where they are usually boiled briefly then chilled before serving. They can also be grilled or fried whole (with their shells on) for crispy brown crusts.
What are the health benefits of shrimp?
Shrimp contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids and very little mercury. Shrimp is frequently sold whole, although only the flesh may be marketed.
Shrimp is high in calcium, iodine, and protein, but has a low food energy content. A shrimp-based meal has a significant content of cholesterol in the range of 122 mg to 251 mg per 100 g of shrimp, depending on the method of preparation.
Shrimp, on the other hand, has been shown to be beneficial to the circulatory system. Shrimp is low in saturated fat and has a high content of cholesterol, which means that shrimp’s high cholesterol level improves the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol and lowers triglycerides.
What is Grits?
What are grits?
Grits is a food of Native American origin common in the Southern United States, made from corn (maize) that has been ground into coarse pieces.
Grits are popular throughout the Southeastern US but are particularly associated with southern cooking due to their history as an inexpensive staple crop for poor farmers and their ease of preparation.
Grits have a thick consistency that’s similar to cream of wheat. Cooked grits are often topped with sautéed shrimp, which can be seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices.
What does Grits taste like?
Grits have a mild flavor and are very nutritious. Grits can be served with shrimp, cheese or butter for an easy weekday meal.
Grits have a bland flavor, but absorb flavors readily when cooked in them by adding ingredients such as milk or butter before serving. When served with added fat they are sometimes referred to as “creamy” grits or hominy grits instead of regular grits.
How can we cook grits?
Grits are usually cooked in boiling water or milk (or both) and simmered until they become soft. The ratio of liquid to grits varies widely based on the type of grits used, but one standard ratio is four parts liquid to three parts grits. Grits can be served with additional flavorings such as cheese, butter, salt and pepper, cream, or a sauce made from stewed tomatoes.
Grits can be cooked with water alone but their texture is better when milk is added to the cooking liquid. They are usually simmered for around 20 minutes in this case instead of boiled rapidly. When prepared using just water they become very sticky if overcooked.
What are the health benefits of grits?
Grits are very nutritious. Grits contain vitamin C, thiamin, and iron in small amounts but the biggest part of their nutrition comes from carbohydrates.
Whole grain grits provide more fiber than other types of processed grains because the outer husk has not been removed during production. Whole-grain foods can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, type-II diabetes, and some cancers.
Grits can be used as a substitute for bread crumbs in recipes such as meatloaf or homemade fried chicken because they are less processed than breadcrumbs which means that they provide more nutrients per serving.
What’s the difference between grits and polenta?
Grits and polenta are both made from ground corn, but the primary distinction is in the variety of corn.
Polenta is made from yellow corn, whereas ground grits are frequently produced from white corn (or hominy). The final texture and size of polenta are rougher in texture, while grits will be finer and more creamy.
Grits will absorb the flavors of whatever you’re cooking them in, in this case, chicken broth. The polenta will pick up some of the flavors but not as much as the grits because it already has a lot of flavors.
What is a Shrimp and Grits Dish?
What is a shrimp and grits dish?
If you’re not familiar with this gem, Shrimp and Grits is a traditional dish in the Lowcountry of coastal Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is a traditional menu of breakfast in the south that’s usually prepared with cheese, bacon, or sausage.
This Southern shrimp and grits are simple to prepare at home, but there are several methods to make it, making selecting how you want it done difficult. Shrimp and grits is a straightforward meal to prepare, despite the fact that there is numerous version of shrimp and grits recipes.
Shrimp and grits are quite popular in the south these days, and you can find them in essential breakfast restaurants all across the region, including Virginia. Shrimp and grits have long been a quick weeknight dinner menu for us since it was originally served as a breakfast shrimp meal.
The bottom line? You can eat these all day, every day!
What is Shrimp and Grits made of?
Shrimp and grits is a Southern staple made from shrimp, bacon or sausage, cheese, and seasoned with tabasco sauce or cajun sauce or any other sauce variations.
The dish itself consists of cheesy grits topped with sautéed shrimp in a flavorful broth that’s been thickened slightly by stirring in a bit of flour.
You just can’t beat the combination of creamy, buttery grits topped with zesty, smoky shrimp, and bacon. This traditional Shrimp and Grits recipe is a basic dish that can be adjusted to suit your family’s tastes.
What does Shrimp and Grits taste like?
Shrimp and grits is a unique dish that combines the creaminess of cheese, bacon, or sausage with shrimp.
It’s usually made using cheddar cheese but any type of cheese can be used. The addition of butter makes it even tastier which means that people who are trying to lose weight should avoid this meal completely.
Is Shrimp and Grits healthy?
Shrimp and grits is a low-carb meal that can be served with cheese, bacon, or sausage which makes it perfect for people who follow the Atkins diet. It’s also very high in protein which means that it will make you feel full for longer after eating it.
Shrimp and grits can be served with cheese or butter on top which makes them very tasty but also loaded in cholesterol so people that have high levels of blood cholesterol should avoid this meal.
A cup of cooked grits contains 182 calories and 1 gram of fat, giving you 9 calories from fat.
How do you make the basic shrimp and grits?
Ingredients
- Yellow grits (plus salt and water for cooking) or you can use instant grits / quick grits
- Butter
- Bacon
- Clove garlic
- Green onions
- Lemon juice
- Shrimp
- Heavy cream
- Shrimp stock (optional)
Instructions
- First, cook the grits in a saucepan on medium heat. Add a couple of tablespoons butter at the very end for a smooth, rich consistency. Season with salt.
- While the grits are cooking on the stovetop, sauté the garlic, green onions, lemon juice, and shrimp in slices bacon drippings on a nonstick skillet, just until the shrimp turn pink. This only takes a few minutes, so keep an eye on the shrimp as they cook. Then return the cooked, crispy bacon back to the skillet.
- Make creamy Shrimp and Grits by adding a splash of heavy cream to the skillet with the shrimp at the very end.
- Divide the grits among the serving bowls and top with the shrimp mixture. Garnish with extra sliced green onion or shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Cajun hot sauce, if you like.
What to Serve with Shrimp and Grits for Brunch?
What side dishes go with shrimp and grits?
This Shrimp and Grits recipe is a filling meal on its own, so I recommend pairing it with a light vegetable side dish.
Here are a few good options to balance the richness of the brunch menu:
- Salad Dressed with Buttermilk Dressing Green Goddess Dressing
- Sautéed Greens (such as kale, collards, or chard) that has a bit of vinegar in it
- Baby Lettuce Salad with red onions and a citrusy dressing
- Southern Collard Greens
- Creamed Spinach
- Creamed Peas
- Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Asparagus
- Green Bean Salad
- Biscuits and Gravy Stuffed Baked Potatoes
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole
- Roasted Parmesan Tomatoes
- Mandarin Orange Salad
- Mexican Grilled Corn
- Lemon Butter Asparagus.
It is important to pair your grits dish correctly so that you are not overwhelmed by one flavor in particular.
For example, if you were serving the tomato-based sauce over spaghetti with shrimp, you would not want to pair it with a creamy cheesy grits dish. It just wouldn’t go well together.
If the main idea is seafood and cheese then stick with lighter options that are less heavy in flavors such as salads or fruit-based sides.
What bread do you serve with shrimp and grits?
We love to serve these Cheese Grits with Garlic Butter Shrimp with bread sides such as:
- Garlic Butter Hawaiian Rolls
- Homemade Garlic Bread
- Beer Bread Muffins
- Italian Bread
- French Toast
- Sourdough Loaf.
What wine goes with shrimp and grits?
There are several wines that go well with shrimp and grits.
If you’re looking for a wine to serve alongside your Shrimp and Grits, choose one of the lighter-bodied dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. A medium-bodied Chardonnay is also another great option.
If you’re interested in red wine, choose one of the lighter-bodied ones such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais; avoid the big and bold Cabernet Sauvignon with this dish.
What are the favorite shrimp and grits recipes?
This is a very versatile dish that can be served with several different kinds of side dishes depending on what you have in the pantry.
The traditional Shrimp and Grits recipes can be adjusted to suit your taste and mood.
Here are some great recipes to try:
Shrimp and Grits Casserole
This cheesy shrimp casserole pairs perfectly with rice for dinner or cheese grits as an appetizer at brunch.
Creamy Shrimp and Sausage Grits
This recipe is rich and creamy which makes it perfect for a dinner side dish with the addition of Cajun shrimp, Italian sausage, bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, cream cheese, or milk plus cheddar cheese making it creamy.
Shrimp Scampi Grits
This shrimp scampi recipe is a simple but elegant dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course over grits for dinner.
Shrimp and Grits with Fried Green Tomatoes
If you’re looking to serve something different, try these fried green tomatoes which are made from scratch! This skillet meal is the perfect recipe for shrimp and grits.
Basic Shrimp and Grits
This quick and easy cheddar cheese grits dish is a tasty breakfast, brunch, or dinner idea that the whole family will enjoy! Serve with slices of fresh fruit on the side to make it even healthier.
This Shrimp and Grits Recipe is loaded with fresh shrimp, bacon, and green onions. It’s the perfect recipe for a tasty dinner or brunch dish!
Smokey Shrimp & Grits
Seasoned with bacon, a little garlic, and fresh lemon juice – served with a loaf of crusty bread makes a delicious one-bowl dinner. Smokey Shrimp and Grits served up with crusty, buttery bread makes a delicious and satisfying one-bowl dinner.
FAQs
What goes well with shrimp and grits for breakfast?
For breakfast, you can pair your dish with biscuits and gravy.
The most popular sides served with Shrimp & Grits are green beans, roasted asparagus, garlic bread or rolls.
Do you serve bread with shrimp and grits?
Yes! Bread is a good side to serve with Shrimp & Grits. Some of the most popular options are garlic bread, cheese grits muffins, and honey biscuits.
What meat goes with shrimp and grits?
The most popular meat served with Shrimp & Grits is bacon.
If you are looking for something different, try this balsamic braised pork shoulder recipe! It tastes absolutely delicious when paired with shrimp and grits.
What is usually served with grits?
The most popular sides served with Shrimp & Grits are green beans, roasted asparagus, garlic bread, or rolls.
See also: What To Serve With Salt and Pepper Calamari: A Comprehensive Guide
